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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

From the News Paper 'GANASHAKTHI'




In order to compel the Management and the central government to take necessary steps to revitalise the financially ailing BSNL, the three lakh executives and non-executives of BSNL will organise one day strike on 15th December 2011. The strike is being organised as per the call of the BSNL Associations/Unions of Executives and Non-Executives.

The main demands of the strike are that the Government should honour its commitments to BSNL with regard to reimbursement of licence fee, payment of ADC to BSNL and also liberal subsidy from the Universal Service Obligation Fund. 

 These were commitments made at the time of formation of BSNL to make it viable, but on the pressure of the MNCs and private telecom companies were withdrawn without any justification. During the last 11 years, about Rs. 50,000 crore have been paid to government by BSNL towards dividend, taxes etc.

 In addition, the government has taken an amount of Rs. 18,500 crore compulsorily on 3G and BWA Spectrum, the maximum amount of all operators, but at the same time without giving any chance to participate in the auction or select its choice of circle.
Further it has put a notional loan of Rs. 7500 on BSNL with 14.5% interest, even though no actual loan was given nor was there any requirement for the same.

The government has managed in one way or other to grab all the Rs.35,000 crore surplus of BSNL. The workers are demanding that the unjustified notional loan amount remitted be returned to BSNL, BWA spectrum charges of  about Rs. 8,000 be refunded, BSNL be allowed to return 3G spectrum in states where it is not required and the amount refunded, and all commitments on Licence Fee reimbursement etc. be restored.   This is essential for restoring the financial viability of BSNL which has been lost due to the anti-PSU policy of the government. 

The Unions demanding immediate procurement of mobile equipments, Broadband Modem, Cables, telephone instruments etc. so that more connections could be given and services can be improved. 

The workers are also demanding the immediate settlement of the ITS Officers’ absorption/repatriation issue, which is pending for the last 11 years since formation of BSNL. While all the executive and non-executive employees numbering about  3.5 lakh have been absorbed in
BSNL then and there, ITS officers numbering about 1400, who are the top management of  the company are on deputation, which had a very adverse effect on the efficiency and services. 



Another demand is payment of Bonus which has been denied to the workers on flimsy grounds. While the government employees and PSU employees were granted 78.2% Industrial Dearness Allowance fixation, the same is denied to the BSNL Workers. Existing facilities like medical allowance, LTC, Encashment of leave etc. are either withdrawn or frozen by the management. 

About 10,000 workers are retiring every year reducing the workforce drastically, but the management wants to retrench another one lakh through a VRS scheme, which is opposed by the workers.

The strike was first decided for 10th October, but after discussion with the management and in the hope that the issues will be settled, the strike was postpone to 15th December. 
 Hence the workers have decided to go on strike on 15th December and make it successful. The Central trade Unions like AITUC, CITU etc. and other All India Federations of workers intimated their support and solidarity to the fully justified strike. 

We seek the support of the people for the struggle which is intended to strengthen BSNL and give a better service to the people.
                                                                                                            Courtesy:  "Ganshakthi"

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